[A/N : Hey guys. This chapter is Sponsored by Terrance Smith. You can thank him for the double release.]
Thanks to Kakashi's warning, Naruto no longer bothered him and focused on mastering the 3 jutsus. Of course, that didn't mean that Kakashi was completely free. He still had to lead Team 7 on their missions.
With Naruto and Sasuke becoming increasingly competitive, his days weren't peaceful by any means. It was quite a contrast from Fujin who had relieved himself from nearly every duty and focused on his training. Even in his absence, his students focused on mastering their jutsus earnestly.
In one of the many training grounds in Konoha, loud sounds were constantly being heard. Even the ground shook frequently, as if an Earthquake had hit the training ground. If someone passed by, they would think that some sort of calamity was happening! If they were to check, they'd be shocked to see that all the sounds and shaking were happening due to clashes of fists and legs!
Standing some distance away, Tenten sighed and said, "Every time I see them fighting, I find it hard to believe that ninjas can fight in this manner… If it was me, my hands and legs would long be injured!"
Lee nodded and said, "They are even more fierce today! As expected of Guy sensei and Fujin-san!"
Neji added, "It looks like they aren't holding back this time."
Unlike a year ago, Guy's students could now follow Fujin's and Guy's movements. In the training ground, Fujin's and Guy's fists clashed once again before they retreated. Both their breathing was heavy.
Guy said, "Not bad. You are very enthusiastic today, Fujin. Your stamina with the Strong Fist style is several times higher than when you first used it. As expected as someone so youthful!"
Fujin thought, 'Yeah, but looks like forcing him to open the Gates with just my Taijutsu is still impossible. Oh well, that's not a surprise.'
Fujin chuckled and said, "I haven't been in a good fight for some time. Guy, how many Gates can you open without putting much of a strain on your body?"
Guy was surprised by Fujin's question. It was the first time Fujin had asked something like that. It also was the first time when Fujin had pushed him this much despite them having sparred so many times. He wondered, 'Is he preparing for something?'
Guy answered, "Five. If I open the sixth, I'll need to rest for some time."
Fujin replied, "That's impressive. Lord Hokage recently gave me a task and I don't want to be caught lacking. Are you fine with taking a spar a notch higher?"
Guy grinned and said, "Of course, let your youth explode!"
Fujin grinned as well and said, "I won't be holding back."
At the very next moment, a huge blast of wind was launched behind Fujin! Neji, Lee and Tenten, who were standing some distance behind Fujin, were caught off guard and hit by the high-speed winds. All were launched behind for a few meters but managed to land on their feet. Lee cursed, "What the hell was that?"
Needless to say, the most surprised one was Guy. Even before the Winds hit his students, Fujin's fist was right in front of his face. He barely managed to block the punch with his arms but was sent flying due to Fujin's momentum!
Guy quickly flipped in the air and landed on a tree before jumping back on the ground. As for the tree, it broke into two due to his force. Despite being hit, Guy had a grin on his face as he thought, 'So this is Fujin's real speed? As expected of someone who specializes in Wind Release. It's the same speed as mine when I open the Gate of Life! How exciting! I can't lag behind! Gate of Opening, Open!'
Fujin looked at Guy opening three gates in a row and thought with a grin on his face, 'Now, this should be a good warm-up for Orochimaru!'
Grinning, the two raised the intensity of their spar severalfold! Guy's students, whose confidence had grown by leaps and bounds as they were able to see Fujin and Guy's fight clearly, were left dumbfounded as they could no longer follow them!
Lee observed carefully and realized, 'Even with the Gate of Life, Guy sensei is faster and stronger than I am when I open my Gate of Limit! Also, how is Fujin-san so fast despite not opening any Gates? What is that strange wind that he keeps blasting? Unless I open my Inner Gates, I won't be able to see their movements.'
With the winds Fujin was randomly blasting, the trio decided to create a larger distance and moved away.
Fifteen minutes later, Fujin and Guy finally stopped. Both their breathing was heavy and both had several minor injuries on their body. Guy said, "That's very impressive, Fujin. As expected of you."
Fujin replied, "You are the one to talk. I don't think there was anyone in the history of this world who could sustain Eight Inner Gates for so long! I run out of gas in a few minutes."
Guy grinned without replying and closed his Inner Gates. He was about to say when he heard a bird's sound and looked above. He said, "Looks like it's time. I'll catch up with you later, Fujin."
Fujin took a deep breath and said, "It's fine." With a smile on his face, he added, "Good luck to your students in the Chunin Exams."
Guy was surprised that Fujin knew about it. He wondered, 'Is the task he spoke about related to the exam?'
He nodded and left after addressing his students quickly. Fujin disappeared from the training ground as well while thinking, 'The exams will begin in a week from now. I need to be in my best shape. I haven't had a good fight since I fought Raiga.
That said, at my level, getting a good fight is a very rare event. I doubt Ororchimaru fought with anyone after his little clash with Itachi either. Oh well, this spar with Guy should be enough warm-up. I'll train for another week until the exam begins.'
As Fujin returned home, another interesting event occurred in Konoha. Naruto and Sakura, who had just returned from their mission, met with Konohamaru's gang. As in the original story, Sakura beat both of them up when Konohamaru asked whether she was Naruto's girlfriend and Naruto agreed.
Holding the bump on his head, Konohamaru said, "I don't even think she's human! Did you see how wide her forehead is?"
Unfortunately for him, he hadn't bothered lowering his voice. Sakura, who was walking away, froze. She mechanically turned around, with an expression that terrified the four of them. All four began running away as she chased after them. The chase didn't last for long as Konohamaru ran into Kankuro.
While Hiruzen held a meeting with the senseis, Kankuro held up Konohamaru. To rescue him, Naruto moved forward, but Kankuro used a chakra thread to make Naruto slip. As he fell, Naruto thought, 'What the hell? My foot froze… That's similar to big brother Fujin's Wind Release!'
Despite the chakra thread, Naruto managed to control himself and didn't entirely fall. He quickly regained his balance and shouted, "Hey you in the black pig suit! Release him now and I'll go easy on you!"
Unfortunately, that earned him a scolding from Sakura. While she held him. Kankuro threatened to kill Konohamaru and went for a punch. Realizing that it wouldn't be good, Naruto weaved hand seals while cursing, "Bastard!"
Temari recognized the hand seals and thought, 'Not good'
She quickly grabbed her fan. Not wanting to accidentally injure Konohamaru, Naruto didn't throw any weapon and instead just sent a small blast of wind towards Kankuro with Gale Palm jutsu. However, Temari opened her fan and used it to cover Kankuro, blocking Naruto's attack. The wind blast caused Temari to move behind slightly and made her, Kankuro and Konohamaru feel a breeze. At the same time, a stone hit Kankuro's wrist, stopping his punch and forcing him to let Konohamaru go.
Like in the original story, Kankuro tried to fight with Sasuke until Gaara appeared and threatened him. The only difference was that Konohamaru wasn't that disappointed in Naruto and others didn't look down on Naruto. Especially Temari, who was surprised to see a Wind jutsu being used.
At the same time, Kakashi, Kurenai and Asuma gave their approval for their Genins to take part in the Chunin exams. Iruka opposed it but was shut down ruthlessly by Kakashi.
A week later, Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke met outside the Academy, ready to participate in the Chunin Exams! Meanwhile, two individuals were playing a game a Shogi in a tower that was at the center of a deadly forest. One of them was young, the other was middle-aged with a few scars on his face showing his experience.
A lady, with Dango sticks in her hand, scolded in annoyance, "How long will you keep playing? The Genins should be gathering right now!"
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